Free Agents in 2009

[brewdude15]

Feel free to remove this if there is already a list made up, but the following is a list of players who are scheduled to be Free Agents this offseason. My source is http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2002/02/2008-09-free-agents.html.

 

Player Club

First Basemen

Rich Aurilia SF

Ben Broussard TEX

Carlos Delgado * NYM

Nomar Garciaparra LAD

Jason Giambi * NYY

Wes Helms FLA

Kevin Millar BAL

Richie Sexson NYY

Mark Teixeira LAA

Frank Thomas OAK

Jim Thome CWS

Daryle Ward CHC

 

Second Basemen

Jamey Carroll * CLE

Ray Durham MIL

Mark Ellis OAK

Marcus Giles COL

Mark Grudzielanek KC

Orlando Hudson ARZ

Jeff Kent LAD

Felipe Lopez WSH

D'Angelo Jimenez STL

Pablo Ozuna LAD

Nick Punto MIN

Jose Valentin NYM

Jose Vidro * SEA

 

Shortstops

Orlando Cabrera CWS

Alex Cintron CWS

Alex Cora BOS

Craig Counsell * MIL

Adam Everett MIN

Rafael Furcal LAD

Cesar Izturis STL

Ramon Martinez LAD

Edgar Renteria * DET

Juan Uribe CWS

 

Third Basemen

Hank Blalock * TEX

Joe Crede CWS

Morgan Ensberg NYY

Chipper Jones * ATL

Corey Koskie

Greg Norton TB

 

Catchers

Rod Barajas TOR

Henry Blanco * CHC

Johnny Estrada WSH

Toby Hall * CWS

Adam Melhuse TEX

Mike Redmond * MIN

Ivan Rodriguez DET

David Ross * CIN

Javier Valentin CIN

Jason Varitek BOS

Vance Wilson DET

Gregg Zaun * TOR

 

Outfielders

Bobby Abreu NYY

Moises Alou NYM

Garret Anderson * LAA

Rocco Baldelli TB

Willie Bloomquist SEA

Emil Brown OAK

Pat Burrell PHI

Endy Chavez NYM

Carl Crawford * TB

Adam Dunn CIN

Jim Edmonds CHC

Cliff Floyd TB

Brian Giles * SD

Ken Griffey Jr. * CIN

Vladimir Guerrero * LAA

Raul Ibanez SEA

Jacque Jones DET

Mark Kotsay ATL

Rob Mackowiak WSH

Kevin Mench TOR

Jason Michaels * CLE

Craig Monroe MIN

Jay Payton BAL

Scott Podsednik COL

Manny Ramirez * BOS

Juan Rivera LAA

Rondell White MIN

 

Starting Pitchers

Kris Benson PHI

A.J. Burnett TOR (may opt out)

Paul Byrd CLE

Ryan Dempster CHC

Jon Garland LAA

Tom Glavine ATL

Mike Hampton * ATL

Rich Harden * CHC

Orlando Hernandez NYM

Jason Jennings TEX

Randy Johnson ARZ

John Lackey * LAA

Esteban Loaiza CHW

Braden Looper STL

Derek Lowe LAD

Pedro Martinez NYM

Mike Mussina NYY

Jamie Moyer PHI

Mark Mulder * STL

Carl Pavano NYY

Brad Penny * LAD

Odalis Perez WSH

Oliver Perez NYM

Andy Pettitte NYY

Mark Prior SD

Horatio Ramirez KC

C.C. Sabathia MIL

Ben Sheets MIL

John Smoltz * ATL

Steve Trachsel BAL

Brett Tomko SD

Claudio Vargas

Randy Wolf HOU

 

Relief Pitchers

Tony Armas Jr. PIT

Luis Ayala WSH

Joe Beimel LAD

Joe Borowski

Juan Cruz ARZ

Brendan Donnelly BOS

Scott Downs TOR

Alan Embree * OAK

Scott Eyre CHC

Kyle Farnsworth NYY

Casey Fossum TB

Brian Fuentes COL

Aaron Fultz CLE

Tom Gordon * PHI

LaTroy Hawkins NYY

Mark Hendrickson FLA

Trevor Hoffman SD

Bobby Howry CHC

Jason Isringhausen STL

Steve Kline SF

Brandon Lyon ARZ

Damaso Marte * NYY

Tom Martin COL

Julio Mateo PHI

Guillermo Mota MIL

Will Ohman CHC

Hideki Okajima * BOS

Darren Oliver LAA

John Parrish SEA

Chris Reitsma SEA

Dennys Reyes MIN

Juan Rincon CLE

Francisco Rodriguez LAA

Brian Shouse MIL

Rafael Soriano ATL

Jorge Sosa NYM

Mike Stanton * CIN

Julian Tavarez ATL

Salomon Torres * MIL

Derrick Turnbow MIL

Oscar Villarreal ATL

David Weathers CIN

Dan Wheeler TB

Dave Williams NYM

Matt Wise NYM

Jay Witasick TB

[paul253]

I see some names on there I like, but none more than CC Sabathia. Could you imagine Chipper Jones in the middle of that lineup? WHat do the asterisks indicate?

[twobrewers]

I assume the asterisks mean "team option", since I know Torres has a team option.

[tristarscoop]

LOVE that Turnbow is on that list.

 

Also, didn't know Shouse-y was up. If we can convince Ned that he really is JUST a loogy, I'd really like to see him back.

[brewdude15]

I see some names on there I like, but none more than CC Sabathia. Could you imagine Chipper Jones in the middle of that lineup? WHat do the asterisks indicate?

Yes, the asterisks do indicate team option. My favorite name on the list would also have to be CC, and I'd be in absolute dreamland to see good ole Chipper at 3B.

[paul253]

Ok so TBows $3.2 mil comes off the books, so does Gagne's $10 mil, I assume we let Cameron walk so thats $5 mil more....plus what Sheet's is making this year....what.....$8 mil? $9 mil? So that right there is $27 million off the books plus whatever Mota is making. I know that Fielder is due for a huge raise. As is Hardy correct? I dont see how with all that money coming off the books they wont be able to resign at least one of their aces. I dont care if you have to give Sabathia $20 million for 5 years or 6 years....without an ace next year they will be nothing. You have Gallardo, Parra, and a bunch of 4s and 5s in Suppan Bush McClung and whoever else. There is no help whatsoever in the minors either, at least nothing that will be ready by 2009. Sign Sabathia, take the two picks for Sheets, and draft some more pitchers. Hell...sign them both if you can. Can you imagine a rotation of Sabathia, Sheets, Gallardo, Parra, and Suppan?

[paul253]

Speaking of which, shouldn't Cameron and Gagne be on that list?

[sheetswannabe]

Trade Fielder for a number 2 starter (under a few years of contract) and prospect.. Have Gamel play 1st to save money, Sign Sabathia... Give Hardy arby... Let Sheeter walk, take the two picks... sign a 1 year rental in center or keep Cameron.

 

Rotation:

Sabathia

Gallardo

**new pitcher** Grienke?

Parra

Suppan

 

Lineup:

Weeks

Hardy

Hart

Braun

Gamel

**New centerfielder**

Hall

Kendall

[Minigoon]

Outside of Sabathia and Sheets the 2 names that jump out at me are Orlando Hudson and Rocco Baldelli. I'm real curious to see if Baldelli can make it back. He is playing well lately in Montgomery (Tampa AA). Hudson could solidify the 2nd base position.

[zingsheim]

New CF = Gwynn, finally? Also will Gamel be ready by next year?

[markedman5]

I sure hope its not Gwynn.

 

 

 

 

The only question TG is the answer to is "Who could we put in center that would make our team worse?"

[tigerbrew]

Trade Fielder for a number 2 starter (under a few years of contract) and prospect.. Have Gamel play 1st to save money, Sign Sabathia... Give Hardy arby... Let Sheeter walk, take the two picks... sign a 1 year rental in center or keep Cameron.

How about Brad Nelson at 1B and Gamel in LF, Braun in RF and Hart in CF? Totally agree with signing Sabathia and letting Sheets walk. Give Hardy and Hart long term deals. I'd probably let Cameron go too to save money.

With Turnbow, Gagne, Mota, Sheets and Cameron gone, and Cappy not offered arby, that's over $41M in payroll removed.

[cheezscott]

Trade Fielder for a number 2 starter (under a few years of contract) and prospect.. Have Gamel play 1st to save money, Sign Sabathia... Give Hardy arby... Let Sheeter walk, take the two picks... sign a 1 year rental in center or keep Cameron.

How about Brad Nelson at 1B and Gamel in LF, Braun in RF and Hart in CF? Totally agree with signing Sabathia and letting Sheets walk. Give Hardy and Hart long term deals. I'd probably let Cameron go too to save money.

With Turnbow, Gagne, Mota, Sheets and Cameron gone, and Cappy not offered arby, that's over $41M in payroll removed.

Plus are we still paying Vargas or Koskie anything??? and we non tender Bush and save a coule mil too ...

[Nader Raider Tim]

A couple names that stuck out to me.

 

Rafael Soriano -

Good - When healthy dominant reliever. Bad - Rarely healthy

Should be relatively cheap, 1 year 6.5 million or 2 year 10 million

 

Dan Wheeler -

Has been a very good reliever 4 out of the last 5 years

 

Rocco Baldelli -

Pure gamble. Could be the future CFer, more than likely AAA roster filler if he can stay healthy.

 

Oliver Perez -

Another high risk player. Most likely will recieve a contract similar to Gil Meche, inflation adjusted.

If Perez is going to get 5 years 60-70 million I would hope the Brewers wouldn't be involved. If it is

closer to 3 year 35-40 million he might, MIGHT be worth looking into.

[paul253]

sure hope its not Gwynn.

The only question TG is the answer to is "Who could we put in center that would make our team worse?"

 

I hope it is. He has nothing left to prove in AAA. His defense is at worst a shade less than Cameron. He can bat leadoff and finally get Weeks out of that spot in the batting order. He's cheap, and another left handed bat in a righthanded dominant lineup. With all the holes we are going to have in the rotation and bullpen, and all the prospects in the outfield, the last thing I want to see them spend money on is an outfielder. They need to sign at least 2 bullpen arms, a backup utility guy to replace Counsell, and at least one starter, maybe 2.

[Oldcity]

Gwynn has a .679 OPS in AAA this year and you think he has nothing left to prove there? Also, I don't see any way Atlanta doesn't pick up the option on Jones.

[Fatter than Joey]

I hope it is. He has nothing left to prove in AAA.

 

I agree, he is horrible.

 

His defense is at worst a shade less than Cameron.

 

I don't believe this to be close to accurate.

 

He can bat leadoff and finally get Weeks out of that spot in the batting order.

 

Weeks is a better leadoff option than TGJ.

 

He's cheap, and another left handed bat in a righthanded dominant lineup.

 

Brad Nelson.

[twobrewers]

I expect the Brewers to pick-up Cameron's option.

 

There are unlikely to be any better options with less risk that 1-year and $10 million.

[paul253]

I don't believe this to be close to accurate.

Perhaps I should put it another way.....Defensively, I'd put him ahead of any outfielder on the roster other than Cameron.

He's cheap, and another left handed bat in a righthanded dominant lineup.

Brad Nelson.

Great.....what about him? Do you want Brad Nelson to play center, or are you just listing another cheap lefthanded hitter?

Gwynn has a .679 OPS in AAA this year and you think he has nothing left to prove there?

Gwynn is not, and never has been a power hitter, so obviously his slugging percentage is going to be lower. Im more concerned about on base percentage for a leadoff hitter than slugging percentage. Weeks has a cool .329 on base percentage this year with a strikeout once every 4.3 at bats. Not exactly what Im looking for with someone who is supposed to set the table. Gwynn may be having a bit of a down year in Nasvhville, but its his third season there, what exactly do you want him to do? Im not saying hes the ideal leadoff hitter, but I'd rather see him then Weeks. Some people just have this complete hatred for him that I dont understand. Is it because he wont hit homeruns?

Like I said, I see no reason why you need to go off and spend money on an outfielder when you are going to have Gillespie, Brantley, and, if he moves to outfield, Gamel, in AAA next season.

[twobrewers]

Some people just have this complete hatred for him that I dont understand. Is it because he wont hit homeruns?

It's because he is a contact hitter who often fails to make contact. He has a decent walk rate in MiLB - but that doesn't translate long term to MLB. Why would any pitcher walk a player who doesn't have the ability to hit a ball out of the park?

 

I hear you on Weeks - but his potential is 10 times greater than Gwynn. All things equal, you might as well keep potential.

[southpaw121505]

Gwynn may be having a bit of a down year in Nasvhville, but its his third season there, what exactly do you want him to do?

I want him to dominate AAA pitching in his 3rd year there. A sub .700 ops is hardly "nothing left to prove" territory.

[markedman5]

"Why would any pitcher walk a player who doesn't have the ability to hit a ball out of the park?"

 

I agree with you but why do pitchers keep walking Ryan Theriot then ? He has more walks then Derrick Lee. Fukodome isn't a power hitter and he also walks alot.

 

If you have a good eye, work the count and don't try to hit a home run every at bat you can draw walks.

 

Unfortunately for us Gwynn isn't Fukodome or Theriot.

[endaround]

Gwynn isn't even Craig Counsell.

[paul253]

I hear you on Weeks - but his potential is 10 times greater than Gwynn. All things equal, you might as well keep potential.

 

How many chances does this man get? How many times does he have to fail before you start to realize the "potential" is not going to happen. In 2 years, possibly sooner, you'll have at least two players ready for the majors in Gillespie and Brantley. Why not give Gwynn a shot? He's had less than what, 400 career ML at bats, a lot of the coming as a pinch hitter, yet so many people here refuse to even give him a chance. Yet Weeks is going on, what, season 3 of awful, and we are still talking about his potential. I'd rather pay Gwynn major league minimum and use that money to sign someone else, like a pitcher, than to pay Cameron $7.5 million (is that what his option is) to watch him have another miserable year at the plate. If you want to pay that much money for a few extra homeruns, thats your right. I think hes a waste of money.

[endaround]

Why not give him a shot? He has had a shot, and he's stunk. The faster he gets away from Milwaukee the happier I'll be so people don't keep clamoring for a terrible option to get a starting job.